The Arabian Nights

The Arabian Nights performance can be described in one word-awesome! It was a hilarious, moving play. There are many things I thought about before and during the performance that would not have crossed my mind had I been watching a movie.

First of all, when watching a movie I never find myself thinking about the set because unlike a play you are immediately thrown into the action or drama going on in the movie. As I was waiting for the play to begin I found myself studying the set. I admired all the beautiful lanterns and thought about the time it must have taken to hang them all. I noticed how many rugs were laid out on the floor of the stage and wondered where they got them all, if they had to borrow some from other schools. The curtains towards the back of the stage were beautifully draped in a u shape. I thought how pretty the stars looked.

At the beginning of the performance a guy came out onto the stage and made fire come out of his mouth. This was really impressive because I didn't expect something like that at a play. When watching a play my expectations for special effects are lower than if I am watching a movie. I feel it has much more of an impact in person also because when you are watching a movie, the fire just doesn't quite seem as real.

During the performance when the characters were in boats on the river I heard the sound of the water. I believe the sound of the water was made with a musical instrument. I have never found myself wondering how the sounds are produced while watching a movie.

Another thing I think had much more of an impact as a live performance was the girl that sang a few solo songs. She has an amazing voice that sends chills down your spine. Since this was not a big budget motion picture my expectations were lower.

One thing that really surprised me (in a good way) was the fact that there was humor in this play. Not being able to watch a preview beforehand as you would with a movie I thought this performance was going to be a serious one. The scene where the guy is "having a farting fit" was hilarious. The scene where the "cheating wife" had all her lovers in the closet at one time was very funny also. I laughed so hard during these scenes I cried.

I enjoyed this play so much that the first hour and forty five minutes before intermission flew by like it was nothing. I was a little concerned when I found out how long the play would last but it turned out my fears were for nothing. I enjoyed this performance much more than if I would have been watching a movie because it felt so much more real, keeping me on the edge of my seat filled with hope that this girl could be saved by her incredible stories.